Episode 191: YEGPIN 2019

Pinball Profile·podcast_episode·10m 38s·analyzed·Apr 23, 2019

Analysis

claude-haiku-4-5-20251001 · $0.028

TL;DR

Yagpin 2019 preview: Edmonton's major pinball tournament expanding to larger venue with new high-stakes competition format.

Summary

Jeff Teolis interviews Mike Weichester, a key organizer of Yagpin 2019, an Edmonton-based pinball tournament and expo. The episode covers Yagpin's growth, new venue at Millennium Place in Sherwood Park with 125 pinball machines, multiple tournament formats including a new high-stakes pinball pro championship, and the substantial volunteer effort required to run the event.

Key Claims

Yagpin is moving to Millennium Place in Sherwood Park with an additional 4,000 square feet of space
high confidence · Mike Weichester confirms the new venue location and square footage expansion in direct response to Jeff's question about the venue move
The new venue will accommodate approximately 125 pinball machines and 50 classic arcade games, plus another 50 pinball machines compared to last year
high confidence · Mike directly states the machine counts and explains the expansion rationale
Mike Weichester only got into pinball three years ago before becoming a key organizer
high confidence · Mike confirms: 'Yeah, that's right. I stumbled upon the first event just randomly and just had a great time.'
Raymond Davidson, Jermaine Marial, and Dave Stewart traveled from Seattle to Yagpin last year
high confidence · Jeff mentions these players as examples of out-of-province attendees drawn to the event
Knockout Cancer Pinball Tournament raised $2,000 for Alberta Cancer Foundation last year
high confidence · Jeff references the fundraiser results from the previous year's event
Over 60 volunteers are helping organize Yagpin 2019
high confidence · Mike states: 'So this year we got over 60 volunteers that are going to help us put the show on'
Power supply was a significant challenge at last year's venue (airport hangar)
high confidence · Mike explains: 'Power was a big concern last year. We held it out at the old airport hangar and it was a struggle at some points to keep every game powered up and running'
The pinball pro championship is a new high-stakes tournament format being introduced at Yagpin 2019
high confidence · Mike describes it as 'a card-based tournament' run Friday night with finals Saturday, inspired by similar format at Indisc

Notable Quotes

“So it's just a bunch of local collectors that kind of all got together and brought some machines out and decided to put on a show for everybody.”
Mike Weichester @ early in interview — Describes the grassroots origin and philosophy of Yagpin
“I stumbled upon the first event just randomly and just had a great time. I didn't even realize there was tournament pinball at that point.”
Mike Weichester @ mid-interview — Illustrates how Yagpin attracts and converts new pinball enthusiasts into active community members
“That's the thing about pinball i mean we can't have these great tournaments and shows without volunteers so here's a guy who just became an instant fan of pinball and now wanted to help out”
Jeff Teolis @ mid-interview — Emphasizes the volunteer-driven nature of the pinball community and tournament infrastructure
“We've got the main tournament and the prize pool is guaranteed. You've got a classics tournament. You've got a novice tournament. That's 12 and under... There's the women's Canadian pinball championship... and something new that you've added this year, the pinball pro championship.”
Jeff Teolis @ mid-interview — Catalogs the diverse tournament offerings at Yagpin 2019, showing inclusive structure from youth to elite competition
“Power was a big concern last year. We held it out at the old airport hangar and it was a struggle at some points to keep every game powered up and running”
Mike Weichester @ late interview — Identifies operational challenge that drove the venue change decision
“Without events like this, I wouldn't be playing pinball and having a good time and meeting a lot of fantastic people.”
Mike Weichester @ late interview — Reflects the personal impact and value proposition of organized pinball events beyond just competition
“If you donate a machine, you get a ticket, and you get entered into the draw. And then at the VIP party on the Friday night there, we're going to be giving away that machine.”

Entities

YagpineventMike WeichesterpersonJeff TeolispersonDerek ThompsonpersonMillennium PlaceorganizationRaymond DavidsonpersonJermaine MarialpersonDave StewartpersonBob Matthewsperson

Signals

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community_signal: New high-stakes tournament format (pinball pro championship) introduced as innovation to attract elite players and increase competition tier options
high · Mike describes new format: 'it's a card-based tournament...a really cool bracelet made up for the winner of that tournament, as well as a cash payout' inspired by Indisc success
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community_signal: Canadian pinball circuit consists of three major events: Yagpin (February, Edmonton), CNEPC (August), Vancouver Flipout (October). Each attracts distinct competitive base and serves as anchor event
high · Jeff identifies: 'there are three tournaments you need to know about. This is the first one on the calendar year. We'll talk about the CNEPC in August, and we just mentioned Vancouver Flipout in Vancouver in the fall'
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community_signal: Yagpin demonstrates strong charitable integration: Knockout Cancer Pinball Tournament raised $2,000 for Alberta Cancer Foundation with Path of Play Day coordination
high · Jeff mentions: 'you raised some great money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation last year, $2,000' and notes Saturday coincides with 'Path of Play Day'
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event_signal: Yagpin 2019 represents significant growth: venue expansion by 4,000 sq ft, machine capacity increase from 75 to ~125 pinball machines, 60+ volunteers vs. unspecified previous years
high · Mike confirms new facility details: 'We get quite a bit more square footage out there. It's an extra 4,000 square feet. We should have about another 50 machines that we didn't have last year.'
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market_signal: Yagpin attracts elite competitive players from Seattle (Raymond Davidson, Jermaine Marial, Dave Stewart) and California (Bob Matthews), demonstrating tournament draws players regionally and across borders

Topics

Yagpin 2019 expansion and logisticsprimaryCanadian pinball tournament circuitprimaryVolunteer-driven event organizationprimaryTournament formats and structuresecondaryPinball community engagement and charity fundraisingsecondaryVenue logistics and infrastructure (power, space)secondaryCompetitive pinball attracts regional and international playersmentioned

Sentiment

positive(0.92)— Strong enthusiasm from both hosts about Yagpin's growth, expansion, and community impact. Mike expresses genuine appreciation for the volunteer effort and community. Jeff is excited about attending and promoting the event. No negative sentiment expressed; focus is entirely on celebration and logistical optimization.

Transcript

groq_whisper · $0.032

it's time now for another Pinball Profile. I'm your host Jeff Teelis. You can find our group on Facebook. We're also on Twitter at pinball profile. Email us pinball profile at gmail.com and please subscribe on either iTunes, Stitcher or Google Play. We head out to Edmonton because that's exactly where I'm going this weekend. And we're going to be talking to Mike Weichester, who's one of the people running Yegpin, a huge tournament that you need to know about, but it's also a great show. Hey, Mike, how are you? I'm doing great, Jeff. How are you? I'm very excited. Looking forward to coming back out West too, because last year was my first time at Yegpin and Derek Thompson and everybody like yourself, Mike. I know there are a lot of people that put this together. You guys start planning this back in September and the event grows and grows and grows and I know it's going to be even bigger and better here in 2019. Yeah, it's going to be awesome. I'm really excited. So let's explain to people, first of all, what is Yegpin? Yeg is based on the call letters of the airport, correct? Yeah, that's right. So it's just a bunch of local collectors that kind of all got together and brought some machines out and decided to put on a show for everybody. And if we even go back further too, you think of the people who run tournaments and you think, oh, they must just be diehards. Pardon the pun, because that's Derek's tag, diehard pinball. But they must be diehards into pinball. That's not the case. Mike, you only got into pinball three years ago. Yeah, that's right. I stumbled upon the first event just randomly and just had a great time. I didn't even realize there was tournament pinball at that point. And just kind of looking into things after, I found out there was a league and we run these tournaments every once in a while. Yeah, it's been awesome. So this is only really your third Yegpin. So when you first went to that event, then you started going to things like Pinburgh and Calgary events and other places. I know you go to Vancouver Flip Out in October for Tommy Floyd's great Nitro pinball tournament that he runs out there and wonderful show as well. You wanted to get involved a little more once you first saw what was happening there in Edmonton. I started volunteering and just helping out wherever I could and then just kind of jumped in kind of feet first and it's been awesome. That's the thing about pinball. I mean, we can't have these great tournaments and shows without volunteers. So here's a guy who just became an instant fan of pinball and now wanted to help out and a big part of the planning including what's happening this year too because I know you're in charge of the facilities. You're the facilities coordinator. So the event is actually moving to a new venue, a bigger and better venue. Yeah, for sure. So this year we're moving out to Millennium Place. We get quite a bit more square footage out there. It's an extra 4,000 square feet. We should have about another 50 machines that we didn't have last year. Millennium Place in Sherwood Park. It should be a lot of fun. 125 pinball machines, 50 classic arcade games. Everything's on free play. And if you're coming to Canada for pinball, there are three tournaments you need to know about. This is the first one on the calendar year. We'll talk about the CNEPC in August, and we just mentioned Vancouver Flip Out in Vancouver in the fall. Those are the three that are the big ones, but this is one that's really drawn a lot of attention too. I know last year, Raymond Davidson, Jermaine Marial, Dave Stewart all came up from Seattle. I see Bob John Matthews is coming up from California. Myself, Jack Tadman are coming from Ontario. It's attracting good players because there are several tournaments. And this year, here's what you've got. Okay. You've got the main tournament and the prize pool is guaranteed. You've got a classics tournament. You've got a novice tournament. That's 12 and under. Yep. 12 and under. There's the women's Canadian pinball championship presented by Nitro Pinball and something new that you've added this year, the Pinball Pro Championship. Do you want to explain what that is? Yeah. So that's the high stakes tournament. So it's a card format tournament. It's run on the Friday night and then we've got the finals on the Saturday. So this year we've actually got a really cool bracelet made up for the winner of that tournament, as well as a cash payout, depending on how many entries we get. This was kind of popular done at an event that I know Derek knows very well at Indisc this year, and they had a high stakes tournament. It was again, the PAPA card. So it's only $30 a card and I think three for 75. So good value there to play in this high stakes thing. But I've seen the bracelet. It reminds me a lot of World Series of Poker, that kind of bracelet that everyone kind of covets. Yeah, it's awesome. It's made out of silver. We got it made locally by a shop out here in Edmonton. So everything gets underway Friday, and it's going to go Friday, Saturday, Sunday, but really kind of a long day on Friday, even longer on Saturday, too, because you've got some after-hours party. Yeah, so we run Yegpin After Dark. So what we do is we kind of get, we bring, turn the lights down, kick the music on and just have the party. Just get everyone in and having a good time. Something you did last year I thought was a good idea, the Knockout Cancer Pinball Tournament. You raised some great money for the Alberta Cancer Foundation last year, $2,000. I'm sure you'll beat that this year as well too. And also this Saturday happens to be Path of Play Day too. So I know I'll be wearing my Path of Play Day shirt and maybe doing a little bit of streaming. I know probably going to look at a live Pinball Profile which would be fun at a real big event. And what's the scene like in Edmonton? So it's growing, it's getting huge. So this year we got over 60 volunteers that are going to help us put the show on and we've got donations coming from Saskatchewan, you know, BC. Everyone's just kind of bringing their games because we're doing a giveaway for a Munsters Pro pinball machine this year. Holy cow, that's amazing. Yeah, so if you donate a machine, you get a ticket, and you get entered into the draw. And then at the VIP party on the Friday night there, we're going to be giving away that machine. I remember hosting that VIP party last year, and I'll be doing it again this year, so I look forward to that. But I couldn't believe all the prizes you gave away for the vendors. I guess what a great incentive, and that's why the show is so good because you have so many people bringing in different games, whether it's arcade games, pinball machines, all kinds of good vendors too to buy some merchandise. And then they're rewarded with these huge prizes. I remember giving away a Q-Bert machine last year. Yeah, so that was for the arcade donation. And then we also did a completely restored Joker Poker for the pinball giveaway. It was gorgeous. You're stepping it up with the Munsters Pro this year. Boy, I mean, it's one of those things. I don't know what it's like for you organizing it because it's so long. I mean, we're talking about seven, eight months of planning, the new facility, making sure everything's okay, getting enough volunteers, the setup, the teardown. Yeah, it takes about a week to put the show on just in the facility there. So again, for those people that are going to these events, whether it's here in Edmonton at Yegpin or any event that you go to, just think of how much time people like Mike, like Derek Thompson and others put into these things. I'm sure you've probably got the week off work so that you can make sure everything's set up right. And I mean, it costs you a lot of time and money to put this on for the benefit of others like myself. And we really appreciate it. But I mean, it's a lot of work. Absolutely. But you know, it's so worth it. Without events like this, I wouldn't be playing pinball and having a good time and meeting a lot of fantastic people. So if you want to volunteer and help out Yegpin, you can still do so, correct? Yeah, exactly. You can get a hold of myself or Derek Thompson, and we can schedule you in or just reach out at the show. We're looking for scorekeepers and a lot of other positions too. Yegpin.com is where you'll get all the information on the show, the tournaments, if you'd like to volunteer, find out about the great vendors and sponsors, and even see some of the game list too. One thing I remember the Seattle guys saying last year was like wow, this is actually a really cheap flight too. And by the way, American friends, the Canadian dollar isn't exactly the greatest. So your money's going to go a lot further when you come up to Edmonton. Yeah, the pro pinball tournament just got cheaper for you. I'll just put the money directly into Raymond's wallet. How about I just do that instead? Right? Yeah, he won last year in the main. After last year's event, what were some of the things you thought, you know what, we can do things better in 2019? What were some of the things after you debriefed? So we wanted to get into a new facility that could kind of hold more people in it, let us grow the show. So if we continue to grow, we're going to actually be able to expand at this facility and double what we have right now for this year, as far as square footage goes. And I know power, too, is always a concern. Yeah, so power was a big concern last year. We held it out at the old airport hangar, and it was a struggle at some points to keep every game powered up and running around, moving games around so that it kind of shared the power between all the breakers. So definitely learned what to do with that. So this year we've built some extra power panels and we're ready to go. Now this will only be the second time I've ever been to Edmonton. Give me some places to go when I'm not playing pinball. I mean, what are some of the sites to see? Unfortunately, the Oilers didn't make the playoffs again, so that won't be an option. Right. We've got great River Valley with lots of great sites out there. Lots of tourist attractions. We've got a great art museum. You're talking to a chubby guy. I'm obviously a little more concerned about, what are some of the restaurants that I should be checking out? On the south side, we've got the Burger Joint, which is awesome burgers. Of course, in Canada, it has to be called the Burger Joint, doesn't it? I mean, that's just fitting. Oh, yeah, for sure. Yeah, and Doner's as well. There's a Doner shop on every corner. Mike, I'll see you in a few days. I'm looking forward to it. Awesome. Great, Jeff. Thanks for having us on to talk about our show. Just wanted to thank all our volunteers and sponsors that help us put the show on. Without you guys, we wouldn't be where we are. Head to Edmonton. Go to Yegpin. I know you will enjoy it. Everybody I've talked to certainly had a great time last year, and I know they will this year too. Yegpin.com is where you find out all the information. Thanks again, Mike. Awesome, Jeff. Thank you. This has been your Pinball Profile. You can find our group on Facebook. We're also on Twitter at pinball profile. Email us pinball profile at gmail.com. And please subscribe on either iTunes, Stitcher or Google Play. I'm Jeff Teelis. They're not even a real country anyway.